Things to Do with Your Teen this Summer

“Hey, what do you think about going on a cruise?” I am talking to my 16 year old daughter, or rather the back of her head, trying in vain to come up with some fun summer ideas that don’t involve staring at a tiny screen.

“Ummm…”, she replies, not looking up from her phone, “Yeah, I’m kind of jammed up this summer, and I really want to have some free time.”

Not if I can help it, I think to myself. She has exactly one thing planned for the summer – a two week stint as a counselor in training at Camp Hanes. It will be a great two weeks, full of character building and hard work and a fair amount of fun. But she’s not exactly what I would call ‘jammed up’ for the summer. As any parent of a teen can tell you, finding fun activities to do together becomes a challenge once family takes a back seat to friends. So here’s some ideas to get your teen off the couch and actively participating this summer.

Get Trapped

My daughter laughs at me because I watch anything remotely scary with my eyes covered and ears plugged. The idea of being trapped – however innocuously – terrifies me! But escape rooms are a challenge, not some Saw-esque torture. Great to foster cooperation and teamwork, they pit your wits against a variety of mental and physical obstacles in a timed challenge. For tried and true escape rooms, check out:

Get Active

One of the great things about teenagers is there are no physical limitations to what they can do! They meet the height requirements, and are confident enough in their abilities to take on physical challenges. There are myriad opportunities for hiking, biking, climbing, and more outdoor activities in the Triad and surrounding areas. Here are a few of the more unconventional ones:

Cliff Hangers Climbing
Cliff Hangers hosts events in order to help our community meet new friends, learn new techniques, and fine tune their skills. From beginner to seasoned climber, kid to adult, Cliff Hangers has something for everyone.

SkyWild
At the Greensboro Science Center, SkyWild is a treetop ropes adventure course located high above the Animal Discovery Zoo.

Kersey Valley Zipline
One of the largest ziplines in the world, with 14 lines and over 1.5 miles of cable, Kersey Valley also offers a challenging rope course. (see also Kersey Valley Escape Room and Laser Tag)

Kersey Valley Laser Tag
At the same location as the zip line and escape room, Kersey Valley offers an all day experience! (see also Kersey Valley Escape Room and Laser Tag)

Spare Time
Over 40 lanes, arcade, laser tag, late night bowling and more – and plenty of food and beverages! Pretty much teen heaven!

The Pit
Indoor go kart racing, arcade, laser tag, rock climbing wall, black light mini-golf, billiards and more make The Pit an all day excursion.

Camel City BBQ Factory
Hot ‘que and cool games, from arcade style video games to air hockey and giant Jenga, Camel City is a fun stop in the heart of downtown Winston-Salem.

Box Car Bar & Arcade
Yes, it’s a bar but it’s also a casual eatery that features food trucks and fresh, free popcorn alongside a lineup of classic and modern video games. You will have as much fun as the kids. Plus, dogs are welcome too! Located in downtown Greensboro.

Reboot Arcade Bar
Also another bar (this one in downtown Winston-Salem) but all ages are welcome (if accompanied by an adult) to play in their “authentic 1980’s arcade, featuring over 60 classic arcades and pinball machines.” The website says they are opening soon, but they are already open and operational.

Get Cultured

There are so many opportunities to enjoy live theater, music, movies, and museums in the Triad! Consider the usual suspects (Old Salem, Reynolda House, Triad Stage, Greensboro Symphony, etc), and maybe try something new, like:

a/perture cinema
Featuring foreign, indie, documentary and festival films. It’s downtown Winston-Salem location puts it in close proximity to dining and shopping, making a movie the centerpiece to a whole day of activities.

Elsewhere
One of those hard to describe places, Elsewhere is an artist residency museum space interactive collaborative thingy. From picnics to ‘radical seders’ to travel trips to Cuba, it’s a space that’s sure to get your creative juices flowing and open up some great conversations.

Get Literal

Summer reading programs for teens are scarce, but if you and your child love reading – why not start a book club of your own? Hold meetings poolside with lots of snacks, and invite some other parent/teen friends to join you.

Stone Mountain State Park
The massive granite dome at Stone Mountain State Park keeps watch on park visitors enjoying nearly every type of outdoor activity – camping, hiking, climbing, fishing, picnicking, horseback riding and more. There are more than 18 miles of trails, matched by more than 20 miles of designated trout waters in this park that spreads below the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Virginia Creeper Trail
The Virginia Creeper Trail is a 34.3-mile rail-to-recreation trail starting in Abingdon, Va., traveling through Damascus, Va. and ending just past Whitetop Station at the Virginia-North Carolina border. The trail offers horseback riding, fishing, mountain biking, and running opportunities, as well as camping sites.

Get to Work

My parents loved to involve me in manual labor to “build character”. As a teen, I thought they were just the worst, but now I know they were onto something! Come up with a summer project (or five). Wake your teenager up way too early, make them sweat, and then watch the pride and satisfaction they have when the job is done. Spread mulch, plant a garden, paint the house, clean the garage – the possibilities are endless. Work together to create a sense of teamwork, and make sure to lay on the praise. You might just find that you both get more than a clean garage out of the deal.